Ear curette



Nov. 26, 1929. E. CAMPBELL x-:T AL.

' EAR CURETTE Filed May l. 1928 Patented NovQ 26, 1929 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE LESLIE E. CAMPBELL AND LAWRENCE C. BROWN, OF SAN ANTONIO,TEXAS EAR CURETTE Application filed May 1,

This invention relates to ear curettes, and has especial reference to animproved device for removing cerumen or the like from and cleaning orwiping the walls of the ear channel, to overcome temporarily impairedhearing and produce a sanitary condition within the ear.

The primary obect of the present invention is to provide a simple andeflicient device of w the above kind, which may be readily kept cleanand sanitary, and which may be economically manufactured.

The invention consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement ofparts here- U inafter more fully described, shown in the accompanyingdrawing and claimed.

In the drawing;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ear curette constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, showing the wipingend of the curette,

Figure 4 is a plan view of the blank from which the wiping element isformed; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged sect-ion on line 5 5 of Figure 2.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the present invention embodiesa stem or handle 5 consisting of a small stiff tube formed of fiber,hardened rubber or similar material. Carried by one end of the stem org5 handle 5 is an elongated and fairly stiiiI but flexible flattenednon-metallic loop 6, which projects from and extends coaxial with thehandle 5 to form an efficient scraping element adapted to be inserted inthe ear channel and by means of which the cerumen or wax may be safelyand effectively reached and loosened and withdrawn from the ear. Theloop 6 is preferably formed from a thin strip of fiber or the like,centrally returnbent and having its ends brought together 1928. SerialNo. 274,281.

and. inserted within the end of the stem or handle 5, the ends of thestrip being adhesively secured together and within the end of the stemby gluing or cementing as at 7 so as to effectively plug said end of thestem.

Adhesively secured on and enclosing the other end of the stem or handle5 is a soft band of fabric 8 having its outer edge secured over theadjacent end of the stem or handle as at 9, and provided with a tongueoreX- tension 10 on its outer edge which is tucked and adhesively securedin the adjacent end of the handle to eectively plug said end of thehandle. A very eiiicient wiping element is thus provided for use incleansing the walls of the ear channel or for applying a medicamentthereto, without danger of the wiping element becoming displaced andpermitting the handle to injure or bruise the ear. As shown, the end ofthe stem 5 may be eX- ternally reduced as at l1 to receive the band 8withoutl resulting in the band having a diameter materially larger thanthat of the main part of the stem.

The instrument may be turned or rotated to scrape and wipe the walls ofthe ear channel. As theends of the handle are effectively plugged, asanitary device is had which may be readily kept clean.

Minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as claimed.

What we claim as new is 1. In an ear curette, a rigid tubular handle,and an elongated flattened scraping loop projecting from one end of thehandle coaxial with the latter, said loop embodying a centrallyreturn-bent non-metallic strip having its ends abhesively secured insaid end of the handle.

2. In an ear curette, a rigid handle, and a non-metallic scraping loopcarried by one end of the handle, said handle having an axial bore, oneend of the loop being secured in said bore.

3. In an ear (lurette, a rigid tubular handle,

and a 'fabric wiping band adhesively Secured about one end and over theadjacent end edge of said handle.

4. In an ear omette, a rigid tulonlai handle, and a fabric wiping bandadhesively secured about one end and over the adjacent end edge of saidhandle, said band having a tongue on its outer edge tucked andadhesively secured in said end of the handle.

In testimony whereof We our' Signatures.

LESLIE E. CAMPBELL. LAWRENCE C. BROVN.

